Urn and frame construction



May 18, 1965 F. F. DIEM mm AND FRAME CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 5. 1961 INVENTOR. Fred F. Diem y 1955 F. F. DIEM URN AND FRAME CONSTRUCTION 2 She etsSheet 2 Filed June 5. 1961 Fig. 3.

INVENTOR. Fred F. Diem m/JM' United States Patent 3,183,574 URN AND FRAME QONSTRUCTION Fred F. Diem, Oakland, Calif., assignor to M. Greenbergs Sons, Inc, San Francisco, Calif. Filed June 5, 1961, Ser. No. 114,768 3 Claims. (Cl. 27-1) This invention relates to urns for the interment of cremated remains and to a frame for supporting the urns.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an urn and a frame therefor which have the requisite longevity for items of this type by virtue of its structure while at the same time having an appealing appearance during exposure and use. A more specific object is to provide an urn and frame construction that is rigid and durable while permitting air circulation around a substantial portion of the urn so that condensation may drain and residual moisture evaporate. A further object is to provide a frame that offers a solid bearing surface or support for the entire um and not merely a support for the cover plate of the urn. Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following detailed specification proceeds.

In a preferred embodiment, the combination urn and frame construction of the present invention comprises a supporting frame for cremation urns. The frame is of the type that is flexible as to size and shape and thereby as to urn capacity depending upon how and to what extent its components are assembled. Normally, the frame is employed against a wall and the urns are slid or lifted in an out of only one side of the frame. The frame includes a plurality of pairs of horizontal bars and a plurality of vertical spacers, each pair of horizontal bars being fixed at a preselected vertical distance from another pair of horizontal bars by the vertical spacers. The two horizontal bars in each pair are joined laterally by a plurality of spaced apart flat urn supporting members which are relatively narrow when compared with the width of the urns. The urn supporting members lie flush with the tops of the bars joined thereby.

The urns which hold the cremated remains are placed in the foregoing frame. Each urn includes a rectangular box having an open end and in which each pair of adjacent sides is joined by a beveled edge member. An ear extends outwardly from each beveled edge member at the open end of the box. The urn further includes a cover plate for the open end of the box and means for fixing the cover plate to the ears to seal the open end.

In normal use, the urn is disposed between two pairs of horizontal bars of the frame with one of the sides of the urn contacting at least one of the flat urn supporting members of the frame.

Reference is made to the accompanying drawing in which FIG. 1 shows in end elevation an urn and frame construction in accordance with the present invention with the cover plate of one urn removed and a suitable design on the outer surface of several other urn cover plates.

FIG. 2 is a side section of a portion of the construction shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line 2-2.

FIG. 3 is a bottom elevation of a construction provided by the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the frame provided by the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of an urn provided by the present invention.

As best illustrated in FIG. 4, the frame of the present invention comprises a plurality of pairs of horizontal bars 10. The mutually facing upper longitudinal edges of horizontal bars in each pair define square cut notches 11 therein. A plurality of spaced apart fiat urn supporting members 12 join the horizontal bars 10 which Patented May 118, 1965 "See make up each pair thereof. Urn supporting members 12 are adapted to fit in the square cut notches 11 of bars 10 and lie flush with the tops of bars 10 joined by supporting members 12. This permits the urn to he described hereinafter to slide smoothly in and out of the frame. The uniformly level configuration also permits the urn to be supported substantially along its entire length, one pair of frame bars Hi and one of the urn supporting members 12 serving as the complete surface. Urn supporting strips 12 are fixed to horizontal bars 10 by screws 17 V which are also sunk flush with the surface of members 12.

Each pair of horizontal bars 10 is fixed at a preselected distance from another pair of horizontal bars by a plurality of vertical spacers 13. Vertical spacers 13 maintain the pairs of horizontal bars in common vertical planes. Each vertical spacer 13 comprises an elongated rod 14 and a plurality of sleeves 15 positioned over the rod 14. Sleeves 15 are cut to a length equal to the preselected distance desired between pairs of horizontal bars 10.

Thus, to assemble the frame, a pair of horizontal bars 10 are slipped onto the rods 14 by inserting the rod 14 in spaced holes 16 in bars 16, then placing a sleeve 15 over rod 14, then placing another pair of horizontal bars 10 over rod 14, and continuing the foregoing step-wise procedure until a frame of any desired height is obtained. Rod 14 is fixed to the lower-most pair of horizontal bars it]? by any suitable means such as by bolting or by threadably connecting the rod 14 with a cooperatively threaded hole in the lower-most bars 10. Similarly, the upper most pair of horizontal bars It) may be fixed in place with respect to the other elements by a suitable means such as with bolts or the like engaged with the upper end of rod 14.

It is noted that the frame construction shown in FIG. 4, for example, is merely a segment of a frame that may be constructed to any desired height or width. The height is obtained as noted in the previous paragraph. The width may be increased by employing longer horizontal bars 1t and/ or by joining a plurality of sections of the type illustrated in FIG. 4 by a suitable connective means. For instance, two sections may be joined together employing a metal connective strip to which each of the sections are individually attached with screws.

The urn portion of the present invention includes a receptacle 1%. Receptacle 18 has a bottom 19 and an open end 19', defined by the sides to be described, opposite to bottom 19 as best illustrated by FIG. 1. The cross section of receptacle 18 is an octagon having two pairs of wider parallel sides Zil, 20 and 21, 21' and two pairs of narrower parallel sides 22, 22' and 23, 23'.

22 and 23, 23'.

An ear or triangularly flanged portion 24 extends outwardly from the open end 19' of receptacle 18 from the narrower sides or beveled edges 22, 22' and 23, 23' generally normal to the longitudinal axis of receptacle 18. A cover plate 25 for sealing the open end 19 of receptacle or box 18 is fixed to triangularly flanged portions 24 with screws 26.

Screws 26 engage the receptacle side of cover plate 25 from flanged portion 24. Beveled edges 22, 22' and 23, 23' provide suflicient space to permit the positioning of a suitable tool for driving screw 26 from receptacle 18 towards cover plate 25.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, cover plate 25 suitably carries a name engraving plate 25a fixed to the outward side of plate 25. The border of cover plate 25 may also be suitably engraved with a design 27. Design 27 is complete on the borders of cover plates forming the perimeter of the overall construction. Borders of cover plates which abut with adjacent cover plates contain only half the design. The half design meshes with another half design contained on the borders of abutting adjacent cover plates to form a complete design.

A plurality of bolts 28 at each corner of cover plate 25 fixes the cover plate to horizontal bars 1i Fixing cover plate 25 to horizontal bars in turn attaches receptacle 18 thereto when receptacle 18 is attached to cover plate 25 with screws 26.

As best seen in FIG. 3, supporting member 12 is relatively narrow with respect to side 2% of receptacle 1%. As a result, side 20 overlaps substantially supporting member 12. This permits adequate air circulation around the urn during prolonged storage and provides adequate drainage and moisture evaporation. The result is to enhance the appearance of the construction to visitors and retard long term corrosion.

Preferably, the construction is made of bronze to further retard long term corrosion although other suitable metals and/ or plastics could be used, for example.

In addition, it will be seen that bottom 20' is supported substantially throughout its entire length by bars 16 on either end and supporting member 12 therebetween. This provides a solid bearing point for the entire urn and offers unusual stability and thereby eliminates warping.

Horizontal bars 10 may be formed with a depending projection 29 to which cover plate 25 can then be bolted. The lowermost pair of horizontal bars 10 is provided with pairs of blocks 3% and 31 to serve as a supporting base for the entire construction.

. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, receptacle 18 has been illustrated as a single urn merely for ease of description. As with other types of urns, the present urn may be made as a single unit as illustrated, as well as for example, a double in both the separate or mingled varieties. Doubles and larger units when desired are suitably made side by side, in which case the cover plate 25 may be constructed as one single member. A suitable unit cover plate for a double urn is illustrated at 32 in FIG. 1.

Alternatively, the receptacles may be placed back to back and suitably adapted to provide separate or mingled type constructions. When back to back, the receptacles 18 may be bolted or otherwise attached so that when being pulled from the frame construction, pulling on one receptacle-will carry with it the receptacle therebehind. With back to back units, the frame construction is suitably made of double depth to accommodate the second receptacle.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in-sorne detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the spirit of the invention as limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An urn and frame construction for the interment of cremated remains comprising, in combination, a supporting frame, said frame including a plurality of pairs of parallel horizontal bar-s, and a plurality of vertical spacers,

each pair of horizontal bars being fixed at a preselected vertical distance from another pair of horizontal bars by said spacers, and a plurality of transverse flat urn supporting members joining the horizontal bars in each pair, said members lying flush with the top of the bars joined thereby, each of said members adapted to receive an urn in contacting relationship, each of said members being spaced apart from adjacent of said members at a preselecteddistance between the center lines of adjacent of said members; an urn for the cremated remains, said urn including a rectangular receptacle having an open end and in which each pair of adjacent sides is joined by a beveled edge member, an ear extending outwardly from porting members and with the center line of said urn lying in substantially the same vertical plane as the center line of said urn supporting member, saidurn having a Width between parallel vertical sides less than the preselected distance between the center lines of adjacent of said urn supporting members, said urn having a height between parallel horizontal sides less than the preselected distance between said pairs of horizontal bars.

2. An urn and frame construction for the interment of cremated remains comprising, in combination, a supporting frame, said frame comprising a plurality of pairs of parallel horizontal bars, each pair of bars including a first horizontal bar and a second horizontal bar whose mutually facing upper longitudinal edges define square cut notches therein, a plurality of vertical spacers, each pair of horizontal bars being fixed at a preselected distance from another pair of horizontal bars by said vertical spacers so that said first horizontal bars lie in a common vertical point and said second horizontal bars having two pairs of wider parallel sides and twov pairs of narrower parallel sides, a triangular flanged portion extending outwardly from the open end of each narrower side, a cover plate for said open end, screw means for fixing said cover plate to said flanged portions applied from the flanged portion to the cover plate, said urn being disposed between two adjacent pairs of horizontal bars so that one of its Wider sides is in contacting relationship substantially along its entire length with one pair of said frame bars and one of said urn supporting members therebetween and said urn cover plate contacts both first horizontal bars of said two adjacent pairs of horizontal plates, said urn having a distance between one of said pairs of wider parallel sides less than the preselected vertical distance fixed between said pairs of horizontal bars and having a distance between the second of said pairs of wider parallel sides less than the uniform distance between the center lines of adjacent of said urn supporting members.

3. An urn and frame construction for the interment of cremated remains comprising, in combination, a supporting frame, said frame comprising a plurality of pairs of horizontal bars, a plurality of vertical spacers, each pair of horizontal bars being fixed at a preselected vertical distance from another pair of horizontal bars by said spacers, and a plurality of spaced apart flat urn supporting members joining the horizontal bars in each pair, said members lying flush with the top of the bars joined thereby, a plurality of urns for cremated remains, each of said urns comprising a receptacle having an open end and at least one flat surface, a cover plate for said open end, and means for fixing said cover plate to said receptacle to seal said open end, each of said urns being disposed on one of said urn supporting members with said flat surface lying flush against said ,urn supporting member and with the center line of each of said urns lying in approximately the same vertical plane as the center line of the supporting member on which it is disposed, the receptacle of each of said urns having a half Width. less than the half distance between the center line of the urn supporting member on which it is disposed and the center line of the horizontally adjacent urn supporting members, the receptacle of each of said urns having a height less than 5 the preselected vertical distance between said pairs of 2,009,724 horizontal bars. 2,513,951 2,937,767 References Cited by the Examiner 2 942 735 UNITED STATES PATENTS Bircher 271 McClellen 271 Butler et a1 211148 Higgins 211-148 RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

1,273,254 7/18 Maas. 1,940,771 12/33 Prier 27-1 JOSEPH D. SEERS, Examiner. 

3. AN URN AND FRAME CONSTRUCTION FOR THE INTERMENT OF CREMATED REMAINS COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A SUPPORTING FRAME, SAID FRAME COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF PAIRS OF HORIZONTAL BARS, A PLURALITY OF VERTICAL SPACERS, EACH PAIR OF HORIZONTAL BARS BEING FIXED AT A PRESELECTED VERTICAL DISTANCE FROM ANOTHER PAIR OF HORIZONTAL BARS BY SAID SPACERS, AND A PLURALITY OF SPACED APART FLAT URN SUPPORTING MEMBERS JOINING THE HORIZONTAL BARS IN EACH PAIR, SAID MEMBERS LYING FLUSH WITH THE TOP OF THE BARS JOINED THEREBY, A PLURALITY OF URNS FOR CREMENTED REMAINS, EACH OF SAID URNS COMPRISING A RECEPTACLE HAVING AN OPEN END AND AT LEAST ONE FLAT SURFACE, A COVER PLATE FOR SAID OPEN END, AND MEANS FOR FIXING SAID COVER PLATE TO SAID RECEPTACLE TO SEAL SAID OPEN END, EACH OF SAID URNS BEING DISPOSED ON ONE OF SAID URN SUPPORTING MEMBERS WITH SAID FLAT SURFACE LYING FLUSH AGAINST SAID URN SUPPORTING MEMBER AND WITH THE CENTER LINE OF EACH OF SAID URNS LYING IN APPROXIMATELY THE SAME VERTICAL PLANE AS THE CENTER LINE OF THE SUPPORTING MEMBER ON WHICH IT IS DISPOSED, THE RECEPTACLE OF EACH OF SAID URNS HAVING A HALF WIDTH LESS THAN THE HALF DISTANCE BETWEEN THE CENTER LINE OF THE URN SUPPORTING MEMBER ON WHICH IT IS DISPOSED AND THE CENTER LINE OF THE HORIZONTALLY ADJACENT URN SUPPORTING MEMBERS, THE RECEPTACLE OF EACH OF SAID URNS HAVING A HEIGHT LESS THAN THE PRESELECTED VERTICAL DISTANCE BETWEEN SAID PAIRS OF HORIZONTAL BARS. 